Claims
- 1. A method of forming an interior trim component utilizing an injection molding apparatus having a first mold tool and a second mold tool, wherein the interior trim component comprises a laminate and a polymer, and the laminate comprises a face layer having a finished and unfinished side, an adhesive layer bonded to the unfinished side of the face layer, and a barrier layer bonded to the adhesive layer, wherein the barrier layer of the laminate comprises a non-woven textile weighing at least 80 g/m2, said method comprising the steps of:
positioning the laminate in the first mold tool such that the barrier layer is exposed to face the second mold tool; moving one of the first and second mold tools toward the other of the first and second mold tools such that the injection molding apparatus is in a closed position and a cavity is established between the barrier layer and an inner surface of the second mold tool; and injecting the polymer into the cavity at an injection pressure of at least 500 psi wherein the polymer reacts with the barrier layer to bond the laminate to the polymer and form the interior trim component without the polymer penetrating through the barrier layer and into the face layer.
- 2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of injecting the polymer into the cavity is further defined as injecting the polymer into the cavity at an injection pressure of from 500 to 2500 psi.
- 3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of injecting the polymer into the cavity is further defined as injecting the polymer into the cavity at an injection temperature of from 350 to 575° F.
- 4. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of forming the laminate utilizing a laminator prior to positioning the laminate in the first mold tool.
- 5. A method as set forth in claim 4 further comprising the step of die-cutting the laminate after the laminate has been formed.
- 6. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the step of forming the laminate comprises the step of assembling the face layer, the adhesive layer, and the barrier layer in the laminator.
- 7. A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the step of forming the laminate further comprises the step of fusing the face layer, the adhesive layer, and the barrier layer in the laminator after these layers have been assembled.
- 8. A method as set forth in claim 7 further comprising the step of die-cutting the laminate after the laminate has been assembled and fused.
- 9. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the interior trim component further comprises a second laminate, and the method further comprises the step of positioning a second laminate in the second mold tool such that a barrier layer of the second laminate is exposed to face the barrier layer of the laminate in the first mold tool.
- 10. A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the cavity is established between the barrier layer of the second laminate in the second mold tool and the barrier layer of the laminate in the first mold tool when the injection molding apparatus is in the closed position, and the step of injecting the polymer into the cavity is further defined as injecting the polymer into the cavity such that the polymer reacts with both barrier layers to bond both the laminate and the second laminate to the polymer and form the interior trim component without the polymer penetrating through the barrier layers.
- 11. A method of forming an interior trim component utilizing an injection molding apparatus having a first mold tool and a second mold tool, wherein the interior trim component comprises a laminate and a polymer, and the laminate comprises a face layer having a finished and unfinished side, an adhesive layer bonded to the unfinished side of the face layer, and a barrier layer bonded to the adhesive layer, wherein the barrier layer of the laminate comprises a non-woven textile weighing at least 80 g/m2, said method consisting essentially of the steps of:
positioning the laminate in the first mold tool such that the barrier layer is exposed to face the second mold tool; moving one of the first and second mold tools toward the other of the first and second mold tools such that the injection molding apparatus is in a closed position and a cavity is established between the barrier layer and an inner surface of the second mold tool; and injecting the polymer into the cavity at an injection pressure of at least 500 psi wherein the polymer reacts with the barrier layer to bond the laminate to the polymer and form the interior trim component without the polymer penetrating through the barrier layer and into the face layer.
- 12. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the step of injecting the polymer into the cavity is further defined as injecting the polymer into the cavity at an injection pressure of from 500 to 2500 psi.
- 13. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the step of injecting the polymer into the cavity is further defined as injecting the polymer into the cavity at an injection temperature of from 350 to 575° F.
- 14. An interior trim component comprising:
a laminate having a face layer with a finished and unfinished side, an adhesive layer bonded to said unfinished side of said face layer, and a barrier layer bonded to said adhesive layer, wherein said barrier layer comprises a non-woven textile weighing at least 80 g/m2; and a polymer reactive with said barrier layer such that said laminate is bonded to said polymer without said polymer penetrating through said barrier layer and into said face layer.
- 15. An interior trim component as set forth in claim 14 wherein said non-woven textile weighs from 80 to 250 g/m2.
- 16. An interior trim component as set forth in claim 14 wherein said non-woven textile weighs from 140 to 160 g/m2.
- 17. An interior trim component as set forth in claim 14 wherein said non-woven textile is further defined as needled fleece.
- 18. An interior trim component as set forth in claim 14 wherein said non-woven textile is selected from the group consisting of needled fleece, polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, foam, and combinations thereof.
- 19. An interior trim component as set forth in claim 14 wherein said polymer is injection molded, to bond said laminate to said polymer via said barrier layer, at an injection pressure of at least 500 psi.
- 20. An interior trim component as set forth in claim 14 wherein said polymer is injection molded, to bond said laminate to said polymer via said barrier layer, at an injection temperature of from 350 to 575° F.
- 21. An interior trim component as set forth in claim 14 wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of ABS, polycarbonate, nylon, polypropylene, and combinations thereof.
- 22. An interior trim component as set forth in claim 14 further comprising a fiber disposed in said polymer for reinforcing said polymer.
- 23. An interior trim component as set forth in claim 14 wherein said face layer of said laminate is selected from the group consisting of polyester warp knits, circular knits, non-woven polyesters, non-woven polypropylenes, rashel fabrics, nylon, and combinations thereof.
- 24. An interior trim component as set forth in claim 14 further comprising a second laminate bonded to said polymer opposite said laminate, wherein said second laminate also has a barrier layer comprising a non-woven textile weighing at least 80 g/m2 for preventing said polymer from penetrating through said barrier layer of said second laminate and into a face layer of said second laminate.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority to and all advantages of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/336,369, which was filed on Oct. 31, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60336369 |
Oct 2001 |
US |